Operation Christmas Child
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Chuck Denney
A shoe box is only so big, but fill with the care and compassion and it becomes a huge present. These 4-H’ers in Bolivar are giving their time to Operation Christmas Child - a program that sends gifts to more than seven million children in 100 countries. Rose Black likes the idea that she’s giving to another kid somewhere in the world.
Rose Black
“It makes me feel good to know that these kids are going to be getting things and they’ll be happy.”
Chuck Denney
Note Rose’s first few words – this makes her feel good. 4-H’ers learn that Christmas is about giving These kids went out into the community and collected all these items like games and toys. After all, every little boy or girl deserves something fun for Christmas. But part of this effort also involved gathering donations of toothbrushes and soap - items we take for granted, but things to be thankful for in poor nations. Not only do the kids fill these boxes, they also spend time talking about the importance of what they’re doing. The gift they receive here is a life lesson - that the holidays are a time when you can help others.
Gary Rodgers
“It seems to be a little bit more value to the kids locally that they can donate the stuff, they can see it go in the box.”
Chuck Denney
4-H agent Gary Rodgers heads up this effort in Hardeman County/
Nat Sound
"Mr. gary, what would you say on this...Big Bird?"
Chuck Denney
Rodgers wants his 4-H'ers to realize how much they have, and how much others need.
Gary Rodgers
“For those kids to say I put that teddy bear in there, or I put that box of crayons in there for that kid, I think that will have a great impact. And we’ll go back when this is over and say, ‘Okay, how do you feel about this? How do you think that kid’s feeling right now?”
Chuck Denney
After all the boxes are stuffed, it’s time to wrap them and toss them on Santa’s sleigh. These kids in Tennessee will never meet the children who receive these gifts, but that’s not the point. The important thing here is that someone cared enough to fill a box and then send it.
END
NOTE: 4-H’ers in this same community also donate toys and stuffed animals to the Carl Perkins Child Abuse Center in Bolivar.
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